THE HAGUE — The U.K. is to buy 12 dual-use fighter planes in a significant strengthening of its nuclear posture.

Keir Starmer will announce the purchase of the jets, which can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons, at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. 

The British PM said the move was needed to “deter hostile threats” to the U.K. and allies “in an era of radical uncertainty.”

He stressed the new planes would help support more than 20,000 jobs as he continues to draw a link between increased defense spending and economic security.

Downing Street said it represented “the biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation.”

The F-35As will be deployed as part of NATO’s nuclear dual capable aircraft mission, making good on the government’s commitments in its recent strategic defense review.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement, describing it as “yet another robust British contribution to NATO.”

The U.K., unlike France, is a member of NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group.

Five NATO countries — Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Turkey — are currently members of a U.S. nuclear sharing agreement that allows them to store American nuclear weapons on their soil and operate nuclear-capable American fighter jets.

The U.K.’s move comes amid a push from some European countries to strengthen the continent’s nuclear capability, with nations such as Poland looking at different nuclear options.

France has also signalled a willingness to boost its nuclear deterrent. 

Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macronannounced that France would modernize one of the country’s main air bases so it can host nuclear weapons. 

Announcing the storage of modern nuclear missiles on an air base less than 200 kilometers from the German border was seen at the time as strategic signalling toward Moscow. France’s nuclear deterrent is both airborne, with Rafale fighter jets, and seaborne via submarines.